What is the ruling if a husband is unable to provide only a portion of the maintenance amount considered the baseline for the indigent?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Maintenance (Nafaqāt)
Primary text
If the husband is unable to provide a portion of the maintenance amount that would normally qualify him as indigent (Mu'sir), the wife has the option (Khiyar) because the body cannot sustain itself on less than that baseline.
Supporting text
If he is unable to provide maintenance exceeding the amount considered sufficient for the indigent, the wife has no option for dissolution because that excess obligation is waived due to his inability to pay, and patience regarding it is possible, as the body's sustenance is otherwise secured.